Getting Around Moscow

The city of Moscow, Russia, has a few transportation options for tourists who want to come explore this fascinating city. Three of these options are described below.

The easiest way for travelers to get to Moscow is by air. Flights fly into Sheremetyevo International Airport, which is about half an hour outside of the city to the north, and Domodedovo Airport. Aeroflot and Transaero fly into Sheremetyevo Airport on flights connecting in Europe and North America, while British Airways, Swiss Air and Transaero provide service to Domodedovo. Sheremetyevo has fewer options for transport into the city than Domodedovo. At the former, tourists can flag down taxis or take the bus, both of which can be a hassle to take. Domodedovo has train service to Paveletsky Station, from which it is easy to take a taxi or another train going direct to the Moscow city center. Those who are staying at nicer hotels in Moscow can call ahead to arrange to be transported directly to their hotel from either airport.

Taking the train to Moscow is another option, though it can be time-consuming compared to flying in. The easiest thing to do is to take the railway from St. Petersburg to the capital city. These trains run overnight to Moscow and stop at Leningradsky Station. Tourists who are coming from sites in Western Europe will stop at Belorussky Station. It is recommended that tourists board this train either from Helsinki, Riga, or Warsaw, to avoid having to deal with the cumbersome visa requirements in Belarus or the Ukraine.

Visitors can take the bus to Moscow, but it is not usually the first option most people go with. The reason for this is that Russian roads are not in good shape, and international border crossings may require long delays. Visitors who take this route will have to obtain a special transit visa if they cross into Belarus or the Ukraine. The best spot in Western Europe to board the bus is in Germany. If the bus leaves from Berlin, it will take about two hours to reach Moscow. Once in Moscow, the bus will stop at the terminal known as Tsentrainy Avtovokzal.